Construction Block and Wall Made Up of at Least Two Such Superimposed Blocks

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a construction block and a wall made up of at least two such superimposed blocks. The construction block is characterised in that it comprises a beam with at least one alveolus corner area, the beam passing through the block from its lower face toward its upper face and extending, in a first direction of its cross-section, over part of a longitudinal wall and, in a second direction of its cross-section, over a part of a transverse wall, the at least one protrusion being formed by one end of the beam. Application in the construction field, in particular for a wall-type structure.

The present invention relates to a construction block and a wall made upof at least two such superimposed blocks.

More particularly, this wall may serve as a breast wall with thepossibility of integrating one or more recesses passing through theconstruction blocks of said wall, these recesses being able for exampleto receive earth in order to plant therein covering plant elements. Sucha wall serving as a breast wall may thus be several metres high. Thiswall may also serve to produce various edifices such as a terraced wall,an arrangement of embankments, a protective merlon or an anti-noisemerlon.

According to the prior art, illustrated in particular by the documentU.S. Pat. No. 5,678,958, superimposing at least two construction blocksis known. In order to hold a construction block superimposed on a lowerblock, provision is made for providing the bottom face of thesuperimposed construction block with at least one protrusion entering arecess in the lower construction block or coming into abutment against apart of said lower block in order to prevent tilting of the superimposedblock and to hold it in position on the lower block.

It turned out that such a connection between two superimposed blocksposed problems and offered little strength. In particular, the use of aprotrusion and a recess could cause rupture of the recess by shearing,in particular when the wall serves as a breast wall and is subjected toa substantially horizontal thrust by the supported elements, for exampleearth. This may cause the forward movement of a superimposed block withrespect to the lower block.

One explanation of this low strength of the connection lies in the factthat the bearing of the superimposed block on the lower block isdeficient since it is unequally distributed because of the small surfacearea of the projections. In addition, the position of the projectionscan no longer be optimum for counteracting the horizontal thrust thatthe superimposed block is subjected to with respect to the lower block.

The same difficulty is encountered in the document DE-U1-296 08 704,which shows protrusions projecting on the surface of the faces of theblock to be assembled.

The problem at the basis of the present invention is to consolidate theconnection between two construction blocks of a wall so that thisconnection can effectively withstand various forces that are imposed onit, in particular a different horizontal thrust exerted on constructionblocks superimposed on each other or on one another.

In order to achieve this objective, a construction block intended to besuperimposed on at least one similar construction block is providedaccording to the invention, said block comprising a top face, a bottomface, a front face, a rear face and longitudinal faces as well as onealveolus, the at least one alveolus passing through the block from itsbottom face to its top face and being delimited by solid longitudinaland transverse walls, the intersections of which form alveolus cornerregions, said construction block comprising at least one protrusionprojecting beyond the bottom face and configured so as to allowconnection with the similar construction block, characterised in that itcomprises a beam at at least one alveolus corner region, the beampassing through the block from its bottom face towards its top face andextending, in a first direction of its cross-section, over part of alongitudinal wall, and, in a second direction of its cross-section, overpart of a transverse wall, the at least one protrusion being formed byone end of the beam.

The beam thus formed is a mechanical reinforcement element projectinginside an alveolus at an intersection corner of two walls delimitingsaid alveolus.

In this way, the relative locking function of the block with respect toother blocks is achieved, at least partly, by at least one beam that isa supplementary structural element. The beam also serves to reinforcethe cohesion of the walls of the block at the corner which is adiscontinuity region, and therefore a region of concentration ofmechanical forces. In addition, in the case of a rupture of the end ofthe beam that replaces the traditional protrusions in continuity abovethe walls of the block, the walls are not involved and do not risk beingdamaged.

Thus the block has increased strength at the force concentrationregions, which are the alveolus corners. Having in this way formed aneffective mechanical reinforcement, the protrusions disposed at thebeams have better strength, in particular shear strength, compared withprojecting protrusions along the thickness of the walls of the block. Itshould also be noted that the beams produce, at the same time as theprotrusions, mechanical assemblies associating, in a similar manner to atriangulation, the transverse and longitudinal walls.

The block according to the invention may also optionally have at leastany one of the following features:

-   -   It comprises a first group of two alveoli on either side of an        internal longitudinal wall, each alveolus in the first group        comprising a beam, the beams being symmetrical in relation to        the internal longitudinal wall.    -   The beams of the alveoli in the first group are situated on        alveolus corner regions situated close to opposite longitudinal        faces.    -   It comprises, immediately to the rear of its front face, a        central alveolus passing through said block and comprising two        beams on alveolus corner regions situated close to opposite        longitudinal faces.    -   The two beams of the central alveolus extend over a transverse        wall situated behind the central alveolus in relation to the        front face, the two beams of the alveoli in the first group        extend over a transverse wall situated in front of the alveoli        in the first group in relation to the front face.    -   It comprises a second group of two alveoli on either side of the        internal longitudinal wall and between the central alveolus and        the first group.    -   The second group does not comprise a beam.    -   The longitudinal walls are thicker than the transverse walls.    -   Each protrusion has a substantially rectangular or square        cross-section.    -   The rear face comprises at least one rear beam with one end        projecting beyond the bottom face forming a rear protrusion.    -   The front face comprises, projecting on its edge situated on the        bottom face, a front protrusion.    -   The heights of projection of the protrusions, of the at least        one rear protrusion and of the front protrusion are identical.    -   It has a substantially parallelepipedal shape.    -   It has a rounded or bevelled front face.

The invention also concerns a wall, characterised in that it is formedby at least two such construction blocks, a top construction block beingsuperimposed on at least one bottom block of similar construction, atleast one protrusion on the respectively top or bottom block enteringand advantageously producing an abutment in an alveolus in therespectively bottom or top block.

Advantageously, the wall incorporates, between two superimposedconstruction blocks, a geogrid having meshes, each protrusion on the topconstruction block being conformed so as to enter one of the meshes ofsaid grid.

Advantageously, at least one block of the wall is secured to at leastone similar block adjacent and disposed at the same level, connectionmeans of the tenon and mortise type being provided between at least twoadjacent blocks.

Advantageously, the wall comprises at least two adjacent bottom blocks,the same superimposed block at least partially covering the two adjacentbottom blocks.

Advantageously, the superimposed block is offset while being recessed orprojecting with respect to the bottom block or blocks.

Advantageously, the at least two blocks on the same level are offsetwith respect to each other so that their front faces form anon-rectilinear front.

Advantageously, the superimposed top block has an inclination withrespect to the bottom block or blocks.

Preferentially, the construction block comprises a front protrusionprojecting on the edge of its front face situated on the bottom face,the open protrusion being configured so as to be applied, by its flanks,to the wall of the front face of the bottom construction block.

Other features, aims and advantages of the present invention will emergefrom a reading of the following detailed description and with regard tothe accompanying drawings given by way of non-limitative example and inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a view from below in perspectiveof a construction block according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention, this figure showing in particular the protrusions forconnecting the block to at least one similar block on which it issuperimposed,

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a view from below of theconstruction block according to FIG. 1 and in accordance with thepresent invention,

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a view from below in perspectiveof a construction block according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention, this second form differing essentially from the first form bythe configuration of the front face,

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a view from below of a wallaccording to the present invention, said wall being formed by thesuperimposition of two levels of construction blocks, each superimposedconstruction block being mounted straddling two bottom constructionblocks,

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a plan view of a wall withblocks organised in levels with a batter,

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation revealing the capacity for stackingthe blocks at 90° in a stable fashion despite the protrusions, forexample for palletisation,

FIG. 7 illustrates in a similar manner to FIG. 6 a stacking in parallelsuperimposition of the blocks, for example for palletisation,

FIG. 8 shows a wall in which a geogrid cooperates with the blocks,

FIGS. 9 and 10 show in more detail the cooperation in FIG. 8,

FIG. 11 shows a variant of a block according to the invention,

FIGS. 12 to 16 present examples revealing the multiplicity of assembliesthat can be achieved by the block of the invention, examples illustratedwith the block of FIG. 11.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a construction block 1 according to a firstembodiment of the invention, while FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment ofthe invention.

Hereinafter, reference will first of all be made to these three figuresfor describing the features that are common to them.

As will be better described subsequently with regard to FIGS. 4 and 5 inparticular, the construction block 1 is intended to be superimposed onat least one similar construction block in order to construct a wallthat can serve for example as a breast wall.

In the embodiments that follow, non-limitatively, the connection meansin the form of protrusions are formed on the bottom face of the blocks,in order to cooperate, in superimposition, with alveoli in bottomblocks. The orientation of the block 1 may however be reversed with itsbottom face directed upwards so that the protrusions project upwards.The adjective “bottom” must therefore be understood without limitationin relation to the orientation that will be given to the block whenmounting for cooperating with superimposed blocks. The blocks thereforehave two potential orientations, protrusions upwards or protrusionsdownwards.

In FIGS. 1 to 3, the construction block 1 has a substantiallyparallelepipedal shape but this is not obligatory, the block 1 alsobeing able to have another shape with for example a triangularlongitudinal cross-section or a trapezoidal shape. The block 1 comprisesa front face 8 and a rear face 10 joined by a top face, a bottom faceand longitudinal faces. The top and bottom faces are hollow, having atleast one internal hollow part.

It should be noted that, in FIGS. 1 to 3, the front face 8 of the block1 has been modified so as not to correspond exactly to a side of theparallelepiped. This feature, which is not essential, since the block 1may also have exactly the form of a parallelepiped, will be describedmore fully below.

It is preferred for the top and bottom faces to be flat and parallel toeach other. Moreover, the whole of the block 1 is advantageouslyproduced in a single piece, including the beams 11 described below indetail, that is to say in a single piece of a single material.

The block 1 comprises alveoli 2, the number of which is not limited. Itpreferentially has a first group of alveoli and a central alveolus 7that are equipped with beams 11 described below.

In FIGS. 1 to 3, the internal hollow part is formed by two groups of twoalveoli 2, each of the alveoli 2 passing entirely through the block 1from its bottom face to its top face, the two groups being delimited bysolid longitudinal 3 and transverse 4 walls.

The four alveoli 2 are disposed in two consecutive groups over thelength of the block 1, the two groups being separated by a commontransverse wall 12. However, this is not limitative and a block 1according to the present invention may contain one or more alveoli 2 ofvarious forms and with a distribution different from the one illustratedin FIGS. 1 to 3.

Each of the two groups of alveoli 2 occupies the major part of the widthof the construction block 1, leaving as solid parts in said block 1 onlythe two longitudinal sides 3 delimiting a group of alveoli 2 on eachlongitudinal side of the block 1 and an internal longitudinal wall 6between two alveoli 2 in the same group. The two groups of alveoli 2advantageously occupy two thirds of the length of the block 1,essentially the middle and rear parts of said block 1, the front part ofsaid block 1 being able to comprise a hollow 7, as will be seen moreprecisely subsequently.

In order to connect a top construction block completely or partiallysuperimposed on a similar bottom construction block, means are providedfor connecting the top block to the bottom block at least partiallycovered by said top block. These connection means comprise protrusions 5projecting from the top block in the direction of its height, each ofthese protrusions 5 being associated with a respective alveolus 2carried by the bottom block and being disposed on the bottom face of theblock 1.

The protrusions are placed so as to allow varied relative mountingconfigurations of the blocks 1 and are, according to the invention,formed in a characteristic manner in order to offer high mechanicalstrength. To this end, the protrusion or protrusions 5 are each formedby one end of a beam 11. One example of beams 11 is given, with as anexample a square cross-section, in FIGS. 1 to 3. The beams 11 extendalong the height of the block, between the top face and the bottom face,and are placed in an alveolus 2. More precisely, each beam 11 issituated in an alveolus corner region, that is to say at the point of anintersection between a longitudinal wall and a transverse walldelimiting said alveolus 2. In the illustrations, the corner regions aresubstantially at a right-angle but this case is not limitative. The beam11 cooperates both with a transverse wall and with the correspondinglongitudinal wall, being continuous therewith inside the alveolus 2.Thus the beams 11 are reinforcement portions of the alveolus corners 2offering better strength. Because of this, it will be noted that thethickness of some walls, in particular transverse walls, may be reduced,for example to between 50% and 80% of the thickness of the longitudinalwalls 3.

Forming the protrusions 5 in a distal region of the beams 11 isadvantageous since this offers great strength. This also makes itpossible to benefit from regions with a large cross-section of theprotrusions. Furthermore, in the case of breakage of a protrusion 5,this does not damage the longitudinal and transverse walls of the block1.

The cross-section of the beams 11 is for example configured so as tohave, in length and width, a dimension of between 60% and 140% of thethickness of the longitudinal walls 3. In general, it is arranged forthe beams 11 to occupy less than 50% of the corresponding insidedimension of the alveolus 2 in which it is placed.

It will easily be understood that, in the case of a beam with apolygonal cross-section, for example rectangular, two adjacent faces ofthe beam match two internal walls of the alveolus and that the other twofaces of the beam form an assembly projecting towards the inside of thealveolus, for example an angle, preferably a right angle, entering thealveolus.

Moreover, advantageously, the protrusion that is in line with a beamdoes not extend laterally beyond the surface of the beam so that theforces to which the protrusions are subjected are transmitted to therest of the block only via the beam.

In FIGS. 1 to 3, the block 1 comprises first of all two beams 11 each inan alveolus 12 in the first group of alveoli, here towards the rear face10 of the block 1. Preferably, the beams equip corner regions situatedtowards the front, that is to say furthest towards the front face 8, andadvantageously these are the outermost corner regions, that is to sayclose to the longitudinal faces of the block 1.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 to 3, each protrusion 3 of a block 1 accordingto the present invention has a substantially rectangular or squarecross-section, but this is not obligatory. The protrusions 5 preferablyhave at least one right angle in their corner configured so as to beapplied to the walls of the alveolus of the block with which theycooperate so as to form a double abutment, in two perpendiculardirections (transverse and longitudinal).

The protrusions 5 advantageously have the same cross-section as the restof the beams 11.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 to 3, the block 1 may have, towards its frontface 8, a central alveolus 7 passing through said block 1.

In the example, the central alveolus 7 has, at two corner regions, beams11 carrying protrusions 5. To vary the absorption of forces, it ispreferred for the beams 11 in the first group of alveoli 2 to cooperatewith an alveolus wall, in the transverse direction, oriented in theopposite direction to that of cooperation of the beams 11 of the centralalveolus 7, relative to the front face 8. Thus, in the example, thetake-up of abutment between beams 11 and transverse wall 4 takes placetowards the rear whereas it takes place towards the front for the beams11 cooperating with the transverse wall 12 for the first group ofalveoli.

Referring still to FIGS. 1 to 3, the rear face 10 of the block 1 mayhave rear beams 13, these forms being able to improve the aestheticappearance of the block 1 or improve the rear anchoring of theconstruction block 1 in the supported elements, for example earth.

The rear beams 13 may also serve for fixing a geogrid 16. In theexample, two beams 13 are produced symmetrically in relation to theinternal longitudinal wall 6 which, preferentially, constitutes asymmetry plane for the whole of the block 1. The beams 13 may have alarger cross-section than the beams 11.

By forming a relief on the rear face 10, the beams 13 also make itpossible to trap noise and therefore have a function of acousticinsulation when the rear face is exposed to the outside of the wall 17.

Advantageously, the beams 13 also carry protrusions 14 projecting on thebottom face. These protrusions 14 supplement the horizontal stability ofthe block 1 when it is placed, for example, on the ground or on otherblocks 1, for palletisation or for assembling a wall.

The stability may be supplemented by a protrusion 15 carried by the wallof the front face 8, projecting along its thickness, beyond the bottomface.

Advantageously, all the protrusions 5, 14, 15 have the same projectionheight. They also preferentially have a flat distal surface. FIGS. 6 and7 illustrate in this context that the blocks may then be easilysuperimposed for storage and transport, either in parallel (FIG. 7) orby alternating blocks by levels offset by 90° (FIG. 6). The distalsurface of the protrusions 5, 14, 15 then constitutes an abutmentsurface distributed over various points on the block 1.

It will be noted that the protrusion 15 is optionally at the centre ofthe width of the front face.

It preferentially comprises inclined flanks joining the external face ofthe block and the internal face of the central alveolus 7. The width ofthe protrusion 15 will preferentially decrease towards the inside of theblock 1. The inclined flanks serve to offer contact regions with thefront face 8 (or other parts) of superimposed blocks. FIG. 8 gives anexample of this. The angle of the inclined flanks may be identical tothat of the intermediate side 9 of the front face 8.

In FIGS. 1 to 2, the front face 8 of the construction block 1advantageously in the form of a parallelepiped is bevelled and has aplurality of facets while in FIG. 3 the front face 8 of the constructionblock 1 has a rounded shape. This corresponds to a form of front face 8chosen to constitute the most visible part of the wall desired.

Likewise, in FIGS. 1 and 2, the central alveolus 7 of the front part ofthe construction block 1 is polygonal in shape comprising several sides9, while in FIG. 3 the central alveolus 7 has a rounded part 9 a formingits portion oriented towards the front of the block 1.

FIG. 8 shows the covering of the bottom face of two adjacent blocks 1with a geogrid 16 having meshes 16 a. At least one protrusion 5 on theconstruction blocks 1 is conformed so as to be able to enter one of themeshes 16 a of said grid 16. This makes it possible to increase thehorizontal holding of a wall made from superimposed blocks, the geogrid16 limiting the movements of the protrusions 5 either towards the frontor towards the rear, or laterally, the geogrid 16 being able inparticular to provide connection to an embankment. This cooperation alsoappears in FIGS. 9 and 10.

It may be necessary to cut, with a cutter for example, meshes of thegeogrid 16 for certain protrusions, in particular the protrusions 14, topass through. The protrusions 5 of the alveolus 7 may also serve forholding the geogrid.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a wall made from at least two constructionblocks, a bottom construction block receiving at least one similarconstruction block being superimposed thereon and at least partiallycovering it, at least one protrusion on the top block entering analveolus in the bottom block.

This configuration may be employed to form noise screens of a breastwall.

FIG. 4 shows a wall 17 formed by superimposing two levels ofconstruction blocks, each construction block 1 inf of a bottom levelbeing straddled by two top construction blocks respectively 1 and 1′, 1′and 1″, 1″ and 1″.

Thus the bottom construction block 1 inf furthest to the left in FIG. 4is covered with regard to its first longitudinal half furthest to theright by the top construction block 1, its other longitudinal half beingcovered by the top construction block 1′ adjacent to the aforementionedtop construction block 1.

The other three bottom construction blocks 1 inf are half covered in thesame way by two longitudinal blocks, respectively 1′ and 1″, 1″ and 1″′.The bottom construction block 1 inf furthest to the right in FIG. 6 isfor example covered with regard to its first longitudinal half furthestto the left by the top construction block 1″′.

Each bottom construction block 1 inf has two groups of two alveoli 2inf, that is to say four alveoli, while each top construction block 1,1′, 1″, 1′″ is provided with four protrusions 5, said protrusions 5entering respectively an associated alveolus 2 inf carried by a bottomconstruction block 1 inf. Two protrusions 5 on a top construction block1, 1′, 1″, 1′″ enter a bottom construction block 1 inf while the othertwo protrusions 5 on said top construction block 1, 1′, 1″, 1′″ enterthe bottom construction block directly adjacent to the aforementionedbottom construction block 1 inf.

It is possible that the same level of construction blocks may not bealigned but forms a non-rectilinear edge, for example a curve with aconvex or concave edge, their front or respectively rear faces thenbeing kept spaced apart from each other.

The example in FIG. 4 shows that a face of the assembly is formed bycombining the front faces of the blocks and that the opposite face isformed by combining the rear faces of the blocks. Each of these twoassembly faces may form the facade of the structure, that is to say thesurface exposed to the outside, the other face being oriented on thebank side.

It is also possible that the superimposition of construction blocks of atop level with construction blocks of a bottom level may be done with aninclination with respect to the horizontal, this inclination being ableto change according to the height of the levels in the wall. The variouslevels may also be offset towards the rear of the wall 17 the more theheight of said wall increases, but the contrary is also possible. Thisis particularly advantageous when it is necessary for the wall to followa bank or a wall to be consolidated. This is the case with theillustration given in FIG. 5 in plan view.

It is also possible for the wall to have an inclination with respect tothe vertical, this inclination being able for example to be 15°. In thiscase, the offsets in a horizontal plane of the rows of blocks provide,at hollows 7, locations for putting plants in the block stack. Thisconfiguration may also serve as a noise-protection merlon.

FIG. 11 presents a variant of the block in FIG. 1 in which theprotrusions 5 of the beams 11 are the only elements projecting from theface of the block. The front protrusions 15 and rear protrusions 14 areabsent in this case, which may increase the possibilities of combiningthe superimposed blocks.

FIGS. 12 to 16 show examples thereof. In FIG. 12, a wall 17 is formedwith a row of blocks, the front face of which is directed in a firstdirection, and with a second row, superimposed, with a front face in theopposite direction. This alternation of directions may be continued onother rows. The configuration in FIG. 14 is similar but the bottom andtop rows have a different relative longitudinal placing, the protrusions5 and the alveoli cooperating differently. The result is visible inperspective in FIG. 13.

Another variant alternates the directions of the blocks in the same rowas shown in FIG. 15. This is the case for all the rows. This arrangementaffords better sound insulation, the reliefs on the facade beingnumerous and of varied shapes in order to trap the sounds. Thecooperation of the protrusions and alveoli in this case is illustratedin FIG. 16. In all cases it is also possible to offset the rowslongitudinally so as to produce a batter.

REFERENCES

-   1. Construction block-   1 a-1 d. Construction blocks of various levels-   1′-1″′. Adjacent construction blocks-   1 inf. Bottom construction block-   2. Alveolus-   2 a-2 d. Alveolus-   2 inf. Alveolus-   3. Longitudinal wall-   4. Transverse wall-   5. Protrusion-   5 inf. Protrusion-   6. Internal longitudinal wall-   7. Central alveolus-   8. Front face-   9. Side-   9 a. Rounded part-   10. Rear face-   11. Beam-   12. Common transverse wall-   13. Rear beam-   14. Rear protrusion-   15. Front protrusion-   16. Geogrid-   16 a. Mesh-   17. Wall

1. A construction block intended to be superimposed on at least onesimilar construction block, said block comprising a top face, a bottomface, a front face, a rear face and longitudinal faces as well as atleast one alveolus, the at least one alveolus passing through the blockfrom the bottom face to the top face and being delimited by solidlongitudinal wall and solid transverse walls, intersections thereofforming alveolus corner regions, said construction block comprising atleast one protrusion projecting beyond the bottom face and configured soas to allow connection with the similar construction block, the blockfurther comprising a beam at least one alveolus corner region, the beampassing through the block from the bottom face towards the top face andextending, in a first direction of a cross-section of the block, overpart of one longitudinal wall, and, in a second direction of thecross-section, over part of one transverse wall, the beam projectinginside the alveolus, the at least one protrusion being formed by one endof the beam.
 2. The construction block according to claim 1, the atleast one alveolus comprising a first group of two alveoli on eitherside of one longitudinal wall situated within the block, each alveolusin the first group comprising a beam, the beams being symmetrical inrelation to said longitudinal wall.
 3. The construction block accordingto claim 2, wherein the beams of the alveoli of the first group aresituated on alveolus corner regions situated close to oppositelongitudinal faces.
 4. The construction block according to claim 2,comprising, immediately to the rear of the front face, a centralalveolus passing through said block and comprising two beams on alveoluscorner regions situated close to opposite longitudinal faces.
 5. Theconstruction block according to claim 4, wherein the two beams of thecentral alveolus extend over one transverse wall situated behind thecentral alveolus in relation to the front face, the two beams of thealveoli of the first group extend over one transverse wall situated infront of the alveoli of the first group in relation to the front face.6. The construction block according to claim 5, comprising a secondgroup of two alveoli on either side of the longitudinal wall situatedwithin the block and between the central alveolus and the first group.7. The construction block according to claim 6, wherein the second groupof two alveoli does not comprise a beam.
 8. The construction blockaccording to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal walls are thicker thanthe transverse walls.
 9. The construction block according to claim 1,wherein each protrusion has a substantially rectangular or squarecross-section.
 10. The construction block according to claim 1, whereinthe rear face comprises at least one rear beam with one end projectingbeyond the bottom face and forming a rear protrusion.
 11. Theconstruction block according to claim 10, wherein the front facecomprises, projecting on an edge situated on the bottom face, a frontprotrusion.
 12. The construction block according to claim 10, whereinheights of projection of the protrusions, of the at least one rearprotrusion and of the front protrusion, are identical.
 13. Theconstruction block according to claim 11, comprising a substantiallyparallelepipedal outer shape.
 14. The construction block according toclaim 13, comprising a rounded or bevelled front face.
 15. A wallcomprising at least two construction blocks according to claim 1comprising a top block being superimposed on at least one bottom block,at least one protrusion on the respectively top or bottom blockproducing an abutment in an alveolus in the respectively bottom or topblock.
 16. The wall according to claim 15, comprising, between twosuperimposed construction blocks, a geogrid having meshes, eachprotrusion on the top or bottom construction block being conformed so asto enter one of the meshes of said grid.
 17. The wall according to claim15, comprising at least two adjacent bottom blocks, at least one topblock at least partially covering the two adjacent bottom blocks. 18.The wall according to claim 17, wherein the at least two blocks on asame level are offset with respect to each other so that their frontfaces form a non-rectilinear face.
 19. The wall according to claim 15,wherein the superimposed top block is offset while being recessed orprojecting with respect to the at least one bottom block.
 20. The wallaccording to claim 15, wherein the superimposed top block has aninclination with respect to the at least one bottom block or blocks. 21.The wall according to claim 15, wherein each construction blockcomprises a front protrusion projecting on the edge of the front facesituated on the bottom face, the open protrusion being configured so asto be applied through flanks on the wall of the front face of the atleast one bottom construction block.